The Alchemist's Secret: Ben Hope, Book 1 Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Scott Mariani (Author), Will Rycroft (Narrator), HarperCollins Publishers Limited (Publisher)

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The number one best seller.

Ben Hope lives on the edge. A former élite member of the SAS, Ben is tortured by a tragedy from his past and now devotes his life to finding kidnapped children.

When Ben is recruited to locate an ancient manuscript which could save a dying child, he embarks on the deadliest quest of his life.

The document is alleged to contain the formula for the elixir of life, discovered by the brilliant alchemist Fulcanelli decades before. But it soon becomes apparent that others are hunting this most precious of treasures - for far more evil ends.

When the secrets of alchemy hidden within the pages remain impenetrable, Ben teams up with beautiful American scientist Dr Roberta Ryder to crack the code. It seems that everyone - from the Nazis during WW2 and powerful Catholic organisation Gladius Domini - wants to unearth the secrets of immortality.

The trail leads Ben and Roberta from Paris to the ancient Cathar strongholds of the Languedoc, where an astonishing secret has lain hidden for centuries....

Listening Length

11 hours and 26 minutes
Author

Scott Mariani
Narrator

Will Rycroft
Audible release date

30 October 2014
Language

English
Publisher

HarperCollins Publishers Limited
ASIN

B00OL4KW72
Version

Unabridged
Program Type

Audiobook
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Product details

Listening Length	11 hours and 26 minutes
Author	Scott Mariani
Narrator	Will Rycroft
Whispersync for Voice	Ready
Audible.com.au Release Date	30 October 2014
Publisher	HarperCollins Publishers Limited
Program Type	Audiobook
Version	Unabridged
Language	English
ASIN	B00OL4KW72
Best Sellers Rank	3,431 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals) 20 in Historical Thrillers (Audible Books & Originals) 21 in Mystery Action Fiction 33 in International Mystery & Crime (Audible Books & Originals)

Customer reviews

5 star		57%
4 star		27%
3 star		11%
2 star		3%
1 star		3%

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Top reviews from Australia

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Frances Sampson

Fast moving thriller with historical connotations

Reviewed in Australia on 22 October 2017

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An interesting book a la Dan Brown's Da Vinci code. Set primarily in France. They are seeking treasures of the Cathars. who were exterminated many centuries ago and leaving little real documentation behind them. Typical thriller involving fast moving action, everything really fast, which is a bit comical considering the things they are seeking have been hidden for so long. I liked the main characters even if they were a bit unbelievable, but that is what a novel is about isn't it? Make believe.

I would recommend this book and am sure I will read more of this author's work.

Helpful

Peter Doyle

Not so secret

Reviewed in Australia on 23 June 2017

Verified Purchase

I know one needs a leap of faith sometimes and just go with the story. However events, times and movements would be impossible in reality. That kept gnawing at me. I liked the characters ok and found the book flowed. Flawed but flowing nonetheless. It's worth a read.

2 people found this helpful

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Lia F

Great story, good pace, interesting characters

Reviewed in Australia on 25 June 2020

Verified Purchase

Loved the alchemy theme, loved Ben Hope and the characters representing a spectrum of types of humans that walk this planet, many disguised as something far more twisted and morally and ethically corrupt than they appear. Of course, good conquers evil/the lowly evolved is so satisfying .

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Edward Jones

Very exciting

Reviewed in Australia on 28 June 2019

Verified Purchase

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. I would like to buy more but they appear too expensive; such a pity !

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Ben again :)

Reviewed in Australia on 16 July 2015

Verified Purchase

Once again it's Ben and I like Ben. His adventures are acceptable and he's a nice sensible guy. The adventures are always interesting and hold my attention.

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Katielou

Thrills a plenty

Reviewed in Australia on 5 August 2018

Verified Purchase

Amazing read with twists and turns at every corner. Historical action at its best

Helpful

Five Stars

Reviewed in Australia on 26 November 2017

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Very well written and reminded me of Dan Brown's work. Well worth reading.

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Ilovetoread

Get your heart racing

Reviewed in Australia on 8 December 2017

Verified Purchase

I really enjoyed the twists and turns of this thriller.

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Top reviews from other countries

MartinC

Started ok, became steadily worse

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 21 October 2018

Verified Purchase

While the blurb didn't lead me to expect a wildly original thriller, the reviews had given me an expectation of a decent read. I finally gave up about 60% through as I just couldn't face reading any more of it.
The entire background cast was just a thin 2D copy of a Dan Brown book (and not even one of Dan Browns better books) and the unlikeliness of the character actions & decisions began to grate far more than I had the patience for.
It's probably really a 3* at best, but I'm giving it 2 to offset some of the 4 & 5's to save future readers from making the same mistake as me. Avoid.

12 people found this helpful

Lady Dido

A weird mix

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 18 December 2017

Verified Purchase

What a puzzling book. It seemed to be a mix of three genres: a genuine thriller, a mystical fantasy – and touch of Victorian melodrama.

I found it disappointing to have to accept the transition from straight thriller to fantasy – although I should have picked up the clue from the title. Any story that explores the subject of alchemy is not going to be based in reality.

The plot became more and more weird and torturous as the book progressed. It seemed never-ending. I like plot twists, but it just became too much. Too many hoops for the hero to jump through, and too many fights, revelations and further adventures to get to the final denouement. The codes, symbols, clues and riddles, which held a fascination at the beginning of the book, became tiresome. When the hero, close to his goal (or so we thought), exclaimed “Oh, Christ, please – not more codes!” they were my sentiments exactly.

Having vented my frustration, there were good points. The story was fast-paced and quite well-written. The author had clearly done a huge amount of research and must have spent a great deal of time formulating the plot.

I can understand why some people found it wonderful – but it is not for me.

9 people found this helpful

Paul S

An engaging mystery-thriller and a great introduction to the Ben Hope series.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 20 March 2018

Verified Purchase

Having recently just finished the 16th book in the Ben Hope series (which I really enjoyed) and not having read the previous 15, I thought I would go back to the beginning and read the series from the start.
There are many things I like about The Alchemist's Secret: It is a mystery as well as a thriller. It has lots of gung-ho action. The characterisation is pretty good. It contains a little romance and the plot has many twists and turns. The chapters are fairly short and usually leave you wanting to read more.
But there are some aspects I found a little irritating: the story is not told in chronological order which results in it being a little disjointed. You'll reach the end of a chapter and suddenly the next chapter opens with things that have happened elsewhere a few months or years earlier, before leaping back to the present. This is fine provided it is done in moderation as it breaks up the flow of the narrative. While one expects a thriller to have some twists and turns, in this novel there are just too many - no wonder the hero is exhausted at times!
However, overall I really liked this book. It is a good adventure story which, in spite of its shortcomings, is quick and easy to read and holds one's attention right up until its dramatic ending.

4 people found this helpful

Roses are Amber

Book #1 of the Ben Hope action adventure series.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 17 December 2019

Verified Purchase

Ben Hope is a former elite SAS soldier, who now devotes his life to rescuing kidnapped children.

Asked to find to formula for an elixir which might save the life of a dying child, Ben finds that there are others also searching for the same things.

The hunt turns deadly and Ben must use all his training to stay ahead of some powerful people who will stop at nothing to get waht they want.

This story appealed to me because I enjoy the historical elements about the Cathars and I also like the mystery that surrounds alchemy.

2 people found this helpful

Kindle Customer

Disappointing

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 11 July 2017

Verified Purchase

I just didn't like this book. Fast paced but unbelievable plot. Generic characters, nothing new or exciting. Sorry I really wanted to like this but it just did not hold my interest. I actually didn't care if Ben succeeded in his mission, I just wanted it to finish.

3 people found this helpful

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The Alchemist's Secret: Ben Hope, Book 1 Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

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